Mangalore: Two-Day Workshop on Right to Information Act Inaugurated  
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangalore (RS/SB)  

Mangalore, Dec 7: The Right to Information Act is a tool in the hands of public that makes them masters enabling them to seek any information which is in document form from the public servants, said Dr H N Krishna, information commissioner of state information commission on Monday December 7. 

Speaking after inauguration of Mysore division level two-day workshop on Right to Information Act organized by  State Information department at Kalaangan at Shakthinagar here, he said that after passing of Right to information bill in parliament citizen have obtained real power to know how the tax money is utilized. This powerful tool has prompted the officers to work sincerely he said.

But the awareness about the act at the village level is scant and thus most of the people do not know to use the tool effectively due to which the officers mindset is yet to change in entirety, he added.  

Sharing several instances wherein the act has worked in solving the problems including social and family matters, he said that a ten rupees postal order and an application seeking information with complete address, written in a sheet paper is all that is needed to seek information from any department.  

Chief guest, Dr A S Rao, superintendent of police of the district said that the lack of knowledge creates the fear to fight for Constitutional right. But getting information through the act will solve this problem and also ease the fear the people undergo to avail the facility approaching the government, he added.    

N R Vishu Kumar, director of state information department spoke on the motive behind organizing the workshop. A R Prakash, deputy director of information department in Mysore welcomed all and district information officer K Rohini proposed the vote of thanks. Journalist P B Harish Rai was the master of ceremony.  

In this two-day workshop, Prof D Y Kulkarni, Honorary director and administrator of R L Law College,  Dr A Narayana, lecturer from Manipal University, R H Rajagopal, former KAS officer from Mandya and Dr Ravindra, Principal of SDM Law college will present papers on various topics related to RTI Act. Group discussions and audio visual presentation of documentary has also been arranged. Journalists, members of social service organizations and officers of information department from various districts under Mysore division are the participants of the workshop.